Butts & Guts: A Cleveland Clinic Digestive Health Podcast

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses X-rays to kill cancer cells. Join radiation oncologist Sudha Amarnath, MD as she discusses how this therapy can be used to treat colon and rectal cancer, the different types of radiation therapy, and what a patient can expect during these sessions.

While melanoma makes up less than 2 percent of all skin cancers, it is responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Brian Gastman, MD, the Medical and Surgical Director of the Melanoma and High-risk Skin Cancer Program at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, shares the signs and symptoms to look for and how treatment of this disease has drastically improved in recent years.

The average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%, a 1 in 8 chance. With a better understanding of symptoms to be on the lookout for and advances in early detection and treatment, there fortunately is a better chance of survival than ever before. Cleveland Clinic radiologist Dr. Laura Shepardson joins Butts & Guts to discuss.

As one of most common cancers among women in the United States, it's vital to receive annual breast cancer screenings and necessary treatment, even during a global pandemic. Halle Moore, MD, Director of Breast Medical Oncology and Co-Director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, joins Butts & Guts to discuss how Cleveland Clinic has adapted its bre...

Dr. Vera Hupertz joins Butts & Guts to give listeners a tour of Cleveland Clinic's Pediatric Liver Transplant Program, providing insight into common symptoms and diseases that can lead to these transplants in children and teenagers. Dr. Hupertz also discusses the different types of liver transplants and what families can expect when meeting with the program specialists.

There are several digestive conditions where robotic surgery may be recommended and provide better outcomes and recovery times. Brad Sklow, MD joins Butts & Guts to discuss these procedures, the benefits of robotic surgery, and what's on the horizon regarding future innovations of this practice.

John DiFiore, MD returns to Butts & Guts to discuss cryoablation, a new, innovative technique that has improved patient recovery times and pain control after pectus excavatum surgery.

The impact of stress due to the Coronavirus pandemic has been substantial, even in healthy people. For those with GI disorders, this can exacerbate already uncomfortable ailments. Stephen Lupe, PsyD, joins Butts & Guts to discuss behavioral medicine tips and treatment options for managing stress during these uncertain times.

Returning guest Darrell Cass, MD joins Butts & Guts to give an update on Cleveland Clinic's fetal surgery program, one of the few in the United States to provide services for high-risk maternal and fetal conditions in pregnancy, labor and delivery. Learn about new, innovative methods to treat lung malformations and other fetal issues, as well as what's on the horizon in the growing p...

Returning guest Darrell Cass, MD joins Butts & Guts to give an update on Cleveland Clinic's fetal surgery program, one of the few in the United States to provide services for high-risk maternal and fetal conditions in pregnancy, labor and delivery. Learn about new, innovative methods to treat lung malformations and other fetal issues, as well as what's on the horizon in the growing p...

Colorectal cancer diagnoses have been rapidly increasing in younger individuals, even those in their 20s and 30s. While there's no clear answer as to why this is occurring, there are multiple factors to weigh. David Liska, MD joins Butts & Guts to discuss these considerations and how Cleveland Clinic is treating younger patients with this disease. Also, listen in for an update on this yea...

Butts & Guts continues our COVID-19 series with Miguel Regueiro, MD returning to discuss best practices for patients to help manage their chronic conditions like IBD while also dealing with Coronavirus concerns.

Michael Valente, MD joins Butts & Guts as a returning guest to provide insight into diverticular disease, a common disorder in the lining of the bowel. Learn the symptoms to watch for, available treatments, and the best dietary choices to help prevent this condition.

Every day, we learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19. While the primary symptoms are fever, cough and respiratory difficulty, gastrointestinal issues may be present as well. Dr. Miguel Regueiro joins Butts & Guts to discuss these GI symptoms and the importance of seeking care during this unique time.

COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation. In this episode of Butts & Guts, Conor Delaney, MD - Cleveland Clinic's Chairman of the Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute - joins to discuss patient care and surgical procedures during this pandemic. Topics include the steps Cleveland Clinic is taking to ensure our hospitals are safe for patients and caregivers, as well as the future of me...

Chronic groin pain is an unfortunate potential side effect of having an inguinal hernia repair. This can often be debilitating for patients and impact all aspects of their life, including work, daily activities, and social interactions. David Krpata, MD joins Butts & Guts to discuss hernias, chronic groin pain, and treatment options that can bring relief to patients.

Viral hepatitis. Fatty liver. Cirrhosis. At Cleveland Clinic, patients with these conditions are treated at the Mikati Center for Liver Diseases, which was established to sustain and improve the lives of those with liver diseases through advances in research, innovation, and education. Christina Lindenmeyer, MD joins Butts & Guts to discuss symptoms and treatment plans for these and other live...

Cleveland Clinic is a leading center in the United States for innovative cancer treatment methods. In this third and final episode of the 2020 Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month series, Dana Sands, MD joins Butts & Guts to discuss Transanal Mesorectal Total Excision (TaTME), an evolving procedure that is performed to treat rectal cancer.

In addition to surgical treatment for certain cancers, options like chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation are available based on a patient's disease condition. In this second episode of the 2020 Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month series, Smitha Krishnamurthi, MD joins Butts & Guts to share background into a patient's journey that includes a chemotherapy treatment path.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal Cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States, but advances in early detection and treatment make it one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer. Gautam Mankaney, MD joins Butts & Guts to discuss recommended screening guidelines and methods.

Anxiety and stress add complications to medical disorders that are already difficult to manage on their own. Dr. Judith Scheman joins Butts & Guts to share the benefits of using behavioral medicine to help patients with gastrointestinal disorders improve their quality of life.

Celiac disease is a digestive and autoimmune disorder with symptoms that include digestive problems, anemia, skin rash, joint and bone pain. Listen as Alberto Rubio Tapia, MD joins Butts & Guts to share insight into this disease and provide recommendations for managing it on a daily basis.

When bowel disorders are present in childhood, young patients may eventually need an adult surgeon. Anthony DeRoss, MD, and Jeremy Lipman, MD, discuss their multidisciplinary approach to lifelong diseases that ensures patients receive the best care from diagnosis through adulthood.

Although the appendix has no known function, it can cause serious trouble if it gets inflamed. Diya Alaedeen, MD, joins Butts & Guts to discuss common appendicitis symptoms and treatment options to address this condition.

Each year, more than 30,000 colon and rectal resections for non-cancerous lesions and polyps are performed nationwide. To meet the need for this growing trend of minimally invasive surgery, Amit Bhatt, MD, and Emre Gorgun, MD, established Cleveland Clinic's Endoluminal Surgery Center. Listen and learn about the innovative, multidisciplinary, and world-class procedures now taking place at Clev...